1S35.] History of the Ramoossies. 231 



by themselves. For this reason, permission should be 

 granted to reward in the most liberal manner, those who 

 performed any service of importance, whether sepoys or 

 villagers ; for the chances are, that the greatest efforts 

 on the part of the troops v/iil prove unavailing, unless 

 they secure the cordial assistance of some of the most 

 active and intelligent of the inhabitants, who are well 

 acquainted with the characters of the most notorious 

 persons amongst the population, and those who are like- 

 ly to support the gang with food, money, or advice, when 

 they are hard pressed by the troops, and will be able to 

 point out the persons who are in the habit of receiving 

 charge of plundered property, and disposing of it. When 

 the gang has been harassed and compelled to disperse — 

 continuing to follow up the same steps, will insure the 

 capture of the majority of those who composed it. 



It is evident, that unless the most prompt steps are 

 taken to crush such proceedings at the commencement, 

 it is to be feared that before the offenders can be brought 

 to justice, much misery and distress will be caused to the 

 inhabitants by the Bund ; and that many of these in the 

 small villages, will unavoidably experience much vexation 

 from the sepoys and persons employed in the intelli- 

 gence department, notwithstanding all the precautions 

 that may be adopted to prevent such irregularities. The 

 probability is, that in consequence of unnecessary delay, 

 it will cost much harassing labour, much time and money, 

 ere peace and order are re-established. It is presumed 

 that active operations on such occasions, with a timely 

 example of just and severe punishment, would be ex- 

 tending mercy to many a misguided man, who might be 

 induced to join the insurgents from seeing the Police 

 of the district remain unsupported. With the view of 

 rendering some efficient local aid to the Police of dis- 

 tricts, I some years ago (with some other proposals) sug- 

 gested the advantage of employing the Desmooks of 



